LUDHIANA: After years of delays, Ludhiana’s civic authorities have launched a long-awaited construction and demolition (C&D) waste processing plant, aimed at tackling the city’s issue of illegally dumped construction debris.
Located in Dhandhari, the facility was inaugurated on Wednesday after an inspection by Municipal Corporation Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal and senior officials. The project, worth ₹7.39 crore (A$1.3 million), was funded under the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Smart City Mission, and is designed to process up to 100 tonnes of construction waste daily. “This plant will enhance cleanliness throughout the city,” stated Commissioner Dachalwal.
“We will transform the waste into usable materials such as tiles, concrete blocks, and bricks.” Although the construction and machinery installation were completed a month ago, the launch was postponed due to the Ludhiana West bypoll, officials reported.
Transforming rubble into resources
Spanning 2.5 acres, the plant was developed to combat the pervasive nuisance of construction debris, broken tiles, and rubble littering various locations across the city, including green areas and pavements. Previous efforts by the Municipal Corporation to create designated dumping sites were unsuccessful, highlighting the necessity for a more permanent solution.
Now operational, the facility will accept all waste generated by civic body contractors, who will need to deposit construction debris on-site and provide receipts with their work invoices. Officials noted that the contractor at the plant is tasked with recycling the waste into reusable construction materials. This initiative aims to alleviate pressure on landfills, enhance the city’s appearance, and reduce illegal dumping.
Adequate journey, but costly delays
Originally proposed five years ago following a directive from the National Green Tribunal regarding C&D waste, the initial project budget was ₹2.69 crore. Progress stalled when authorities found the selected site was a dumpsite needing substantial structural adjustments, including foundation work and debris clearing. These challenges escalated costs to ₹7.58 crore, leading to the project’s transfer to the Swachh Bharat Mission.
This C&D facility marks the third major waste management project initiated by the Municipal Corporation in the last five years, following a modern slaughterhouse and a carcass disposal plant. However, both prior facilities faced issues of underutilization and were dubbed “white elephants,” raising concerns about the new plant meeting its objectives. Dachalwal stressed the importance of public cooperation for the initiative’s success: “We encourage residents to assist in our solid waste management efforts,” he urged.
